Electric-meter service appliance



May 6, 1930. J, SACHS ELECTRIC METER SERVICE APPLIANCE Filed Jan. 11, 1928 ,WEZ Nh MM E man@ JMJ. J E ,E w W ZH w ,o

Patented May 6, 1930 PATENT OFFICE:y l

JOSERH SACHS, OF WEST HARTFORD, CONMNECTICUT i ELECTRIC-METER SERVICE APPLIANCE Application led January 11, 1928. Serial N'o. 246,013.

The invention relates generally to electric switches or circuit controlling appliances. One of the objects of the invention is to provide an electric switch or circuit controlling rappliance having a movable switching memberv cooperating with two stationary switch contacts and also having' means associable with the switching member and adapted at the option of the user to either permit or prevent the breaking of the electrical connection between the stationary contacts when the switching member is moved to the position which is normally the off position.

The invention is applicable to a meter service fused switch appliance which is used not only for normal service purposes but also for facilitating the testing of the meter and which is constructed and connected to normally break the circuit ahead of the meter. While not necessarily so limited the invention is particularly applicable to an appliance which as concerns its electrical connections is similar to the construction disclosed in my copending application for electric meter service appliances, Serial N'o. 188,793 filed May 4, 1927 and 'which as concerns its mechanical features is similar to the con- .structions disclosed in my patents fo'r electric circuit controlling appliances No. 1,754,443 and No. 1,754,445 both issued April 15, 1930, and in my copending application for electric circuit controlling appliances Serial No. 218,279 filed Sept. 8, 1927 and for electric meter -service appliances Serial No. 220,807 filed Sept. 20, 1927. Such a meter service appliance is so constructed and connected that for normal switching purposes the circuit is broken not only before the meter but also after the meter. Thus the circuit is broken .at at least two places and in addition the meter coil terminals are left electrically free vso that, if desired, meter testing can be effected in any u ual or desired way without any further manipulation of the switch. For some methods of testing, however, it is necessary'to maintain a connection between'the service wires and the meter and in my said application 220,807 I have shown for this purpose links manually connectible independ- ,ently of the operation of the switch. One of the objects of the present invention is to provide improved means directly associated with the movable switching member for connecting or by-passing the switch contacts when said switching member is moved to the position which is normally the olf position.

Further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown an embodiment ofthe invention which I now deem preferable but it will be understood that the drawings are intended for il-4 lustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this-specification being relied upon for that purpose.

0f the drawings: Fig. 1 is a front View of an appliance embodying the invention, a portion of the front cover of the appliance being broken'vaway to show interior parts.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. v Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side view of some of the parts shown in Fig. 1.4

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a part of one switching member together with the auxiliary switch contact to which the invention particularly relates.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front view with the fuse base omitted and with the auxiliary contact in place, the switching member being in the oifnpositiom VVhile'the invention is not necessarily so limited I have illustrated and will describe a meter service appliance of the type disclosed inthe aforesaid copending applications. Such an appliance preferably includes a fused switch unit and a casing or cabinet for enclosing the said unit. I have shown a two pole fused switch unit but I do not necessarily so limit myself. It will be understood that the parts constituting the fuse and switch 'devices at the respective sides of the unit are or may be similar in vconstruction except for reversal of positions. For the sake of brevity I will confine the description so far as possible to the parts at one side.

sol

I .5 wall of the enclosing` cabinet.

supporting device secured directly to the said supporting wall. This supporting device may comprise two separate bars or members 2, 2

spaced apart and secured to the rear wall of the cabinet by screws 3, 3. A sheet 4 of insulating material may be interposed between the members 2, 2 and the supporting wall.

The several conducting parts lof the fused switch unit are connected with the said insulating members 1 and 2, 2.

The fuse contacts are represented at 5 and 6, these being carried directly by the basel ordinarily at the front thereof. I have shown contacts for receiving a fuse F of the cartridge enclosed type, but I do not necessarily so limit myself. Located at least in part in the space behind the plane of the rear face of the base 1 are two switching devices` which may be variously constructed as concerns certain of the broader phases of the` invention. Preferably, however, each of these switch devices l comprises two opposed stationary switch contacts and a rectilinearly movable switching means 'which includes a. contact adapted to engage or disengage both of the stationary contacts to make or break the electrical con- 'nections between them. The preferred con!v struction as shown is similar to the constructions disclosed in my said patents.

The opposed stationary contacts yfor one 1switch device are represented at 7 and 8 and the stationary switch contacts for .the other switch device are indicated at 9 and 10. The

40 several stationary switch contacts are carried by supporting'elements 11, 12, 13 and 14 which project forward from the supporting devices 2, 2, being secured thereto by screws 15, 15. Each of the switch contacts is prefera-bly of a general U-shape and is provided with a laterally extending flange engaging the corresponding supporting element. Screws or rivets 16, 16 extend through the flanges and into the supporting4 elements to hold the contacting portions in place.

The supporting element 11 is extended upward to a position directly back of the fuse contact 5 and a screw 17 extends through the fuse contact and through the base 1 into the said supporting element 1l. Thus the screw 17 serves to establish an electrical connec- 'tion between the said fuse Contact and the supporting element 11 which in turn is electrically connectedwith the switch contact 7 and at the same time the screw 17 serves to hold the fuse contact 5 in place. V In addition the said screw and the supporting element 11 serve as one of the means forv holding the base in normally fixed relationship with the supportingtev 2, 2-

The remaining fuse contact .6 is held in place on the base 1 by a screw 18 which also retains a conducting member 19 engaging the said contact. The said member 19 extends from the fuse contact to a point adjacent or beyond oneedge of the base. `Preferably the said member 19 is in the form of a strap which extends downward and laterally from the fuse Contact terminating near one side of the base. An additional screw 20 may be provided for more rmly holding the strap 19 in place.

For making and breaking electricalconnection between the stationary switch cont-acts of the two pairs there are provided two rectilinearly movable switch contacts which are preferably carried by a single flat insulating element as described in detail in my aforesaid Patent No. 1,754,443. The two movable switch contacts are shown at 22 and 23 respectively and the flat insulating element is -shown at 24, the said insulating element with the movable switch contacts thereon constituting a switching inember. The switching member is guided at the front by the base 1 and at the rear by the supporting device` 2, 2. It will be understood that when the switching member is moved the two contacts 22 and 23 are moved to simultaneously lengage and disen age the respective pairs'of switch contacts t7, 8 and 9, 10 and thus make and break the electrical connection through the switching devices. It willlbe further understood that to break the circuit each of the switching members is moved in the upward direction from the position shown in Figs. 1 to 3 to the position shown in Fig. 5. i

Connected'respectively with the supporting element 12, with the end of the strap 19 and with the supporting elements 13 and 14 are wire connecting Vterminals 25, 26, 27 and 28. It will be obvious that the said termin als 25, 26, 27 and 28 are electrically connected respectivel7 with the switch contact 8. the fuse contact 6, the switch contact 9 and the switch contact 10. j The description thus far has been chiefly confined to the fuse and switch arts at the right hand side of the. fused switc unit. The

by 5 and 6, and the wire terminals corre-mm spondlng to the terminals 25, 26, 27 and 28 are designated respectively by 25a, 26, 278L and 28. Other parts at the left are similarly marked.

For enclosing the fused switch device there is preferably provided a cabinet 29 provided with a pivoted front cover 30 which 1s hinged to one wall as for, instance the bottom end wall'. The cover may be locked in closed position by means of a latch 31 and if desired a seal may be inserted through the latch n the usual way.

into the cabinet and substantially closing the said opening.

, -There isi provided a switch operating spindle 33 which extends through bearing apertures in the side Walls of the cabinet and which includes an operating handle 34 on the exterior of the cabinet. Within the cabinet the operating spindle 33 is provided with a cranked portion which extends through slots 35 formed in the respective insulating elements of the movable switching members. The one operating spindle 33 serves to operate both switching members to make and break the respective circuit connections substantially simultaneously.

The cover 30 of the cabinet has an opening 36 through which the fuse contacts and the fuses are accessible when the cover is closed,

the cover nevertheless keeping the switching devices and other parts inaccessible. An auxiliary cover 37 is provided normally7 closing the opening 36 in the cover 30 and protecting the fuses. Provision is preferably made for interlocking the auxiliary cover 37 with the handle 34, but this feature need not be described in detail as it does not of itself constitute any part of the present invention, being set forth in my patents for enclosed fused switches, Nos. 1,721,493, 1,721,494 and 1,721,495 all issued July 16, 1929.

An appliance of the type illustrated is particularly adapted, when associated with a meter as shown, to provide an electrical sequence of service wire-switchmeter fuse-switch-load wire or an electrical sequence of service wire-switch-fusemeter-switch-load wire, lall as fully de' scribed in my said copending application Serial No. 188,793. In Fig. 1 I have designated by dot-and-dash lines one arrangement of wiring connections which may be provided. The service wires 'designated S are connected respectively with the terminals 25 and 25a, and the third wire S may extend across the cabinet without direct connection with the fused switch unit. y One coil of the meter is connected between the terminals 26 and 27 and the other coil of the meter is connected between the terminals 26a and 27a. The load wires L are connected respectively with the terminals 28 and 28a. It will be observed that with this construction I provide a electrical sequence of service wire switch-fuse-meter-switch-load wire. By making other connections as set forth in the copending applications Serial Nos. 188,793, 218,279, and 220,807 I may provide an electrical sequence of service Wire-switch -meter--fuse-switch-load wire. With the switching members in their on positions as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 .the meter is connected in the circuit as above described. When the switching members are moved to their foft positions as shown in Fig. 5 the circult 1s broken at both sides of the meter which is thus disconnected from both service and load wires.

I preferably provide by-pass means. for directly connecting the respective service wires with the corresponding load wires independently of the switch contacts and independently of the meter. To this end the respective service and load terminals at the two sides of the appliance are so arranged as to be substantially in vertical alignment with each other, that is, the terminal 25 is in alignment with the terminal 28 and the terminal 25a is in alignment with the terminal 28a. I further provide an associa'tionwith the said service and load terminals devices or lcontacts adapted for the convenient attachmentv or holding of by-pass links.

Referring particularly to the construction at the right hand side it will be observed that the two supporting elements 12 and 14 are provided respectively with upward extensions 38j and 39. These extensions terminate in flanges 40 and 41 which extend respectively .upward and downward toward each other and 'in alignment with each other. These flanges 4() and 41 are provided with means adapted for the clamping thereto of a conducting by-pass link and as shown these clamping means consist of cap screws 42 and 43 threaded into the respective tlanges.

In Fig. 5 I have shown one of the switching members in its off position and at the corresponding side I have shown a link A secured to the clamping means or connecting elements at the side of the appliance. In this View the fuse base is omitted solely for the sake of clearness, but it will be understood that the said base is not to be removed when the by-pass links are in use. The link A is provided with two slots for receiving the corresponding screws 42 and 43, the

screws bengthen turned to firmly clamp the link in place. The link preferably has a hanf dle a of insulating material by means of which it may be conveniently put in place or removed. It will be understood that a similar link is provided at lthe other side and that with both in place the serviceterminals 25 and 25a are directly connected respectively with the load terminals 28 and 28a.

.Preferably the two extensions 38 and 3.9 at each side are mechanically connected together by an insulating means such as a strut 44. The struts 44, 44a serve to reinforce the extensions on the supporting elements and also serve to assist in supporting the base 1. For this purpose screws 45, 45l1 are pro'- 19a and-enter threaded holes in the struts.

` lo contacts may With the switch members in their olf'po sitions the circuit is broken at both sides of the meter and the terminals of the meter coils are entirely freed from both the service and the load Wires. The meter is then ready for testing in any usual or preferred way.

In order to facilitate the connection of instrument leads forl the testing of the meter I provide suitable test contacts. The test be variously constructed but as illustrated I use for this purpose certain of the aforesaid screws. l5 which hold the Iswitch contacts in place. Screws connected respectively withthe contacts 7 7 a and 9, 9a

'15 are made longer than would otherwise be necessary and they are provided respectively with additional nuts 46, 46a and 47, 47a. These nutsserve for clamping the terminals of testing instrument leads which may thus beelectrically connected with the respective meter terminals. It\will be observed that the arrangement is such that the fuses are in the meter testing circuit. i In accordance with the invention I provide in association with at least one of the switching members and with one of the corresponding pairs of stationary switch contacts means adapted at the option of the user to either permit or prevent the breaking of the electrical connection between the said contacts upon movement of the switching member to the position which is normally the off po-;

and it will be understood that as consition,

broader aspects of the 'invention I cerns the do not limit myself to a switch of thetype to disengage the normally operable contact-l shown and described. The means above referred to may vary as to details but preferably it comprises an auxiliary contact relatively movably connectible with the switching'member and ordinarily so connected as to be lfreely detachable., This auxiliary contact is so formed that upon being connected with the switching member it moves into engagement with or between the stationary contacts when the switchingmember is moved from the said stationary contacts.

With a switch of the type shown and described I preferably provide an auxiliary contact surface at bothI sides of the switch- 50of insulating material which may be used" contact 48 which is constructed to have a ing member. Preferably it comprises two connected plate sections. vThe insulating element 24 of the switching member'is shown as being provided with a transverse slot 49 and the contact 48 includes suitable rivets or other connectors which are adapted to extend through the slot and thus connect the two plate sections and hold the contact in place. The contact may be provided with a handle to'put it in place and remove it. An inspect1on of F.1g.5 shows that when the switching member 1s moved te disengage the movable the circuit between the stationary contacts 7 and 8 is broken by the upward movement of the switch member and it will also be obvious that' with the auxiliary contact 48 in place the circuit between the said contacts 7 and 8 is not broken upon the upward movement of the switch member. w

For some methods of meter testing it is necessary t5 have the meter coils in electrical connection with'the service wires but out of electrical connection with the load wires. In accordance with the present invention I am able to conveniently provide for establishing electrical connections between the service wires and the meter notwithstanding the fact that the switching members are in their olf positions to normally break the connections between the service wires and' the meters. With the two auxiliary contacts 48 and 48 in place on the switch member as shown by dotand-dash lines in Figs. 1 and 3 and as shown by full lines inFigs. 4 and 5 the switch can be operated as described without breaking the circuit at the service side. The circuit is, however, broken at the load side so that the meter is disconnected from the load; It will be obvious that by means of the readily atta'chable and detachable auxiliary contacts a pair of stationary switch contacts, a movable switching member including a contact adapted to engage or disengage the said stationary contacts to normally make or break electrical connection. between them, `and means associable with the movable switching member and adapted at the option of the user to either permit or prevent the breaking of thel electrical connection between the said stationary contacts upon movement of the switching member to a .position corresponding to a disengaged position of the first said movable contact. Y

2. In an electric switch, the combination of a pair of stationary switch contacts, a movable switching member including a contact adapted to engage or disen age the said stationary contacts to normal y make or break lso electrical connection between them, and an auxiliary contact relatively movably connectible with the switching member and when in one position thereon serving to make electrical connection between the stationary contacts when the switching member is moved to a position corresponding to a disengaged position of the first said movable contact.

3. In an electric switch, the combination of a pair of stationary switch contacts, a movable switching member including a contact adapted to engage or disengage the said stationary contacts to normally make orbreak electrical connection between them, and an auxiliary contact detachably connectible with the switching member and upon being so connected serving to make electrical connection between the stationary contacts when the switching member is moved to a position corresponding to a disengaged position of the first said movable contact.

- 4. In an electric switch, the combination of two opposed stationary switch contacts, a switching membermovable between the said contacts and including a contact adapted to engage or disengage the said stationary contacts to normally make or break electrical connection between them, and an auxiliary contact relatively movably connectible with the switching member and when in one position thereon moving between the opposed stationary contacts to'electrically connect them upon movement of the switching member to a position corresponding to a disengaged position of the first said movable contact.

5. In an electric switch, the combination of a pair of opposed stationary switch contacts, a switching member movable between the said contacts and including an insulating element and a contact, the said contact being adapted upon Jmovement of the member to engage or disengage the said stationary contacts to normally make orl break electrical connection between them, and an auxiliary contact de- I tachably connectible with, the insulating element of the switching member independently of the first said contact, the said auxiliary contact upon being so connected moving between the opposed stationary contacts to electrically connect them when the switching member is moved to a position correspondingv to a disengaged position of the first said movable contact.

6. In an electric switch, the combination of a pair of opposed stationary switch contacts, a switching member movable between the said contacts and including a liat insulating element and a contact, the said insulating element having a transverse slot adjacent-the contact and the said contact being adapted upon movement of the member to engage or disengage the said stationary contacts to normally make or break electrical i connection between them, and an vauxiliary contact having a portion adapted to enter theslot in the insulating element of `the switching member to be'thereby detachably connected with the saidelement, the said auxiliary contact upon being so connected moving between the opposed stationary contacts to electrically connect them when the switching member is moved to a position lcorresponding to a disengaged position, of the first said movable contact.

7. In an electric meter service switch, the

combination of two pairs of stationary switch A contacts, terminals adapted for the connec` tion of an electric meter in series withthe said pairs of contacts and between them, a movable switching member including two spaced contacts adapted to substantially simultaneously engage or disengage .the said stationary contacts of the respective pairs to make or break electrical connection at the service side and at the load side of the meter, and means associable with the movable switching member and adapted at the` option of the user to either permitV or prevent the breaking of the electrical connection between service side and at the load side of the meter,

and an auxiliary contact detachably connectible with the switching member and upon being lso connected serving to make electrical connection between the stationary contacts at the service side of the meter when Ithe switching member is 4moved to a position corresponding to disengaged positions of the rst said contacts.

'9. In an electric meter service switch, the combination oft-wo pairs of opposed stationary switch contacts, terminals adapted for the connection of an electric meter in series with the said pairs of contacts and between them, a switching membermovable between the said stationary contacts and including two spaced contacts adapted to substantially simultaneously engage or disengage the said stationary contacts of the respective pairs to make or break electrical connection at the service side and at the load side of the meter, and an auxiliary contact detachablyf con'-l lnectible with the switching member and upon responding to disengaged positions `of the first said contacts. v

10. In an electric meter service switch, the combination of two pairs of opposed stationary switch contacts, terminals,adaptedv for the connection of an electric meter 1n series with the said pairs of contacts and between them, a switching member movable between the said stationary contacts and including an insulating element and two spaced contacts carried by the insulating element and adapted to substantially simultaneously engage or disengage the said stationary con /tacts of the respective pairs to make or break electrical `connection at the service side and at the load side of the meter, and an auxiliary contact detachably connectible with the insulating element of the switching member closely 'adj acent the servnice side contact there of and upon being so connected serving to uninterruptedly maintain electrical connection between the stationary contacts at the service side of the meterwhen the switching member is moved'to a position corresponding to disengaged positions of the first said colitacts. v

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set vmy hand this 31st day of December, 1927.

JOSEPH SACHS. 

